What are the common traffic violations in the Philippines?

By Ricardo Lazo Jr., for Automart.PH

METRO MANILA, August 1, 2022 – Securing a driver’s license is a long process only to drive legally on the roads.

You are required to undergo theoretical and practical driving lessons, pass examinations and prepare  paperwork to apply for a license at the Land Transportation Office. Once issued, the driver is expected and duty-bound to follow the country’s traffic rules all the time.

While driving is fun, it isn’t a game of chance. According to the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA), repeated traffic violations could be attributed to human errors, driver negligence or distractions.

In the National Capital Region alone, there were 110,668 traffic violations in 2018, which is a significant proportion of all the registered vehicles in the region.

Here are the traffic violations most commonly committed by Filipino drivers:

Disregarding traffic signs

Traffic signs are clearly hoisted for everyone.

These images relay information, instructions or warnings for all motorists. Drivers can’t claim any reason for violating any of them.

The MMDA said about 44,433 traffic sign-related violations were recorded in 2018, the highest among all violations.

Violators are slapped with P150 for the first, second and third offenses. While the fine may seem affordable to many, but the trouble it brings sucks big time.  

Road obstruction

This pertains to the act of blocking the free passage of other motorists on highways.

The MMDA said that in 2018, about 1,896 vehicles apprehended for violating no parking zones or areas and about 2,863 vehicles were towed from the streets.

Violators are issued a fine of P200 for the first, second and third offense for non-towed vehicles. The obstruction applies to the use of any motor vehicle, including its accessories or attachments, on thoroughfares and sidewalks that are considered stalled vehicles.

Road obstruction that includes road digging has a penalty of P150 for the first, second and third offenses, but the MMDA recommended a higher fine of P200.

Illegal loading and unloading

This is a common scenario in malls and private establishments.

Loading and unloading in prohibited places disturbs traffic flow. On EDSA alone, there were 11,888 drivers apprehended for loading and unloading in forbidden zones in 2018.

This violation warrants a penalty of Php 150 for the first, second and third offenses.

Number coding violation

This is regulated by the Unified Vehicle Volume Reduction Program or UVVRP.

The aim of the program is to decongest traffic especially during rush hours. It also restricts the use of major public roads based on the last digit of vehicle plate numbers. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, the number coding scheme was in full force in Metro Manila.

Apprehended drivers are penalized with a fine of Php 300 for first, second and third offenses, but the fine is different in each city.

Stalled vehicles

Stalled vehicles are those that stopped moving on public roads because of mechanical failure.

Although this violation is not always the driver’s direct fault, it can be prevented anyway. This rule covers junked or dilapidated motor vehicles driving on the roads of Metro Manila.

Based on the LTO, this traffic violation carries a fine of Php 200 for the first, second and third infractions.

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